Chapter 1

After I recovered, I finally left the psychiatric hospital.

My family asked me, tense and cautious, "Are you still going to look for Vivian?"

I shook my head, my eyes filled with confusion. "Who’s Vivian?"

Relief washed over their faces. They instantly threw a warm welcome-home party for me and immediately started arranging dates, wrapping me in a blanket of warmth and happiness.

Everyone told me that Vivian didn't exist. They said I had fallen in love with a hallucination.

Only by playing along could I leave that mental asylum and regain my freedom.

But I knew the truth.

Vivian was not a hallucination.

I had to find her. And then, I had to run.

"How is Logan’s mental state right now?"

"He’s doing great, very stable. But Doctor, we’re worried he’s just faking it. What if he hasn't actually forgotten that fake person? Is that possible?"

On the other end of the line, the doctor’s voice was absolute.

"Impossible. I used the most aggressive psychiatric therapy. Aside from his memories of his family, I forced him to forget everything else. A mere hallucination could never leave a trace after that."

"But remember, do not let him contact anyone or anything from his past. Otherwise, it might trigger some of his memories."

"Understood. Thank you, Doctor. The wire transfer we promised will be sent to your offshore account tonight."

With that, Audrey hung up the phone.

Through the crack of the door, I heard my sister let out a long sigh of relief. "Finally, it's done."

Hearing her footsteps approaching, I quickly slipped away, navigating the dark hallway back to my bedroom to process the shocking news.

One thing was certain: my family had paid off a doctor to erase most of my past.

My empty memory only held information about my family, along with a blurry recollection of me attacking someone on the street two years ago, being diagnosed with mental illness, and locked away.

Everyone was lying to me!

But my own mind wouldn't lie to me.

I didn't remember much of my treatment in the asylum, but on the wall hidden behind my desk, I had carved three lines of small text.

“A conspiracy! Logan, your family paid the doctor to torture you...”

“I can’t hold on much longer. My memories are fading. But remember this: Vivian is real. Find her in Boston. Only then will you be free...”

“The iPhone 7, the cracked watch—these are gifts from Vivian. They are the proof of her existence...”

There were less than fifty words, stained with dried blood.

From the messy handwriting, I could feel the panic and sheer despair I felt when I carved those words.

Knock, knock, knock.

A sudden knock on the door startled me.

I realized I had forgotten to turn off the lights. I walked over and opened the door.

"Logan, why are you still awake so late?"

It was Audrey.

Her eyes were filled with warmth and affection. But knowing what I knew, it felt incredibly fake, sending a cold shiver down my spine.

I didn't know why they were torturing and deceiving me.

But after my parents retired, they handed the entire family business over to Audrey. I had absolutely zero assets under my name.

None of this made sense.

I couldn't fight them openly. My only option was to play along, lower their guard, and wait for the right moment to find Vivian.

I forced a faint smile. "Tomorrow is Mom’s birthday. I was just trying to figure out what to get her."

"Oh, don't worry about that."

Audrey smiled warmly. "You know what Mom and Dad want most, right? They just want to see you settle down. The girl we set you up with tomorrow is Chloe, the sole heiress of the corporate giant, the Chloe Group. She’s well-educated, ambitious, and has a spotless reputation. Be nice to her, okay? Don't push her away."

Chloe was the perfect catch—smart, elegant, career-oriented, and free of any bad habits.

Over the next few weeks, I pretended to fall for her completely.

In front of my parents, I constantly brought up Chloe and acted highly interested in her.

My parents were thrilled. They immediately started planning a dinner for both families to meet.

No one mentioned Vivian anymore, as if she had truly been erased from existence.

Audrey stopped watching me like a hawk, too. At least when I went out on dates with Chloe, there were fewer eyes tracking my every move.

Eventually, our families met for the first time.

The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Amidst the cheers and a kiss between Chloe and me, our wedding was set for three months later.

I smiled with feigned bliss, drinking until I was completely wasted. Audrey helped me back to my bedroom.

Thinking I had passed out, they began celebrating in the living room.

"Phew, finally. Stella has Logan completely wrapped around her finger."

"Just three more months, and this whole thing will be over!"

So, they wanted to use me as a tool for a business marriage? Is that why they used such brutal methods to wipe my memory?

I pulled out the junk box from under my bed. Looking at the old iPhone 7 and the cracked watch inside, I narrowed my eyes, my resolve hardening.

"Vivian."

"I will find you."